Japan's top court says government not responsible for Fukushima damage

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant following a strong earthquake, in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on March 17, 2022. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government is not liable for damages demanded by people whose lives were devastated by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the country's top court said on Friday, the first such ruling in a series of similar cases.

The ruling's effect as a precedent will be closely watched, media said.